Hi all,
This is an article I drafted...some time ago now for the CAR magazine 'Le Journal' so some of this may be superseded but may be of use as there are a few links in it that may be worth following up...I certainly will now, Barry.
Increasing the Percentage of Bioethanol in Vehicle Fuels from 5% to 10% and it's implications for Older Vehicles.
I have collected the following information from a number of sources including web sites and various individuals comments on this matter and felt that it would be useful to bring this to members attention
There has been a lot of discussion regarding increasing the amount of Bioethanol, also just called Ethanol in vehicle fuels and the possible consequences of this for older vehicles.
The U.K. Government has been consulting on replacing the amount of Ethanol that is currently added to vehicle fuels from 2020 onwards. Currently added is 5% Ethanol fuel shown on the petrol pump nozzle as E5 and the proposal is to increase this to 10% Ethanol which will be shown on the petrol pump nozzle as E10. This is apparently in part about reducing CO2 emissions on existing vehicles.
Ethanol is an alcohol based fuel produced from the fermentation of a range of plants, including sugarcane and grains, along with their by-products.
Unlike regular unleaded petrol, ethanol fuel is said to be partially atmospherically carbon-neutral. This is because as the plants that will become biofuel grow, they reportedly absorb more carbon dioxide than what will be released into the air during fuel production and combustion. This partially offsets the greenhouse gas emissions produced by its production and use … but by just how much is still an active topic of debate!
There does appears to be a lot of controversy about Ethanol additives: one report stated that Ethanol is very un-green/costly to produce and we will get less miles to the gallon, other comments include carburettors on older vehicles will get totally gunked up internally, also for many classic cars that very often do limited mileage the Ethanol absorbs water in the fuel tank, so if a car is laid up then people may have to think about draining their fuel tanks.
Ethanol has a lower heating value, but its "octane" rating is much higher. Tesco 99 ron petrol is achieved through the use of Ethanol.
There is a good possibility that E5 will remain available from the larger large volume Petrol Stations for a period (but maybe only until 2021/22) as many 2000 onwards cars may be impacted by this change.
The Federation of Historic Vehicle Clubs ( FHVC) web site has an extensive report on this matter that is well worth a thorough read. This can be accessed at:
https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/news/article/e1 ... -statementIn addition the Department of Transport has commissioned research organisation Qinetiq to prepare a report that has drawn information together from many sources. This can be accessed at:
https://www.historicvehicle.org/wp-cont ... eport1.pdfFurther reading and information on the proposals to increase Ethanol to 10% and it's implications can be found at the following:
What Car - E10 Biofuel, what it is and how it could affect you.
https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/e ... you/n18069
Classics World Magazine - E10 Petrol set for introduction.
https://classicsworld.co.uk/news/e10-pe ... roduction/https://classicsworld.co.uk/news/launch ... -mps-urge/https://classicsworld.co.uk/news/potent ... e-in-2020/RAC, What is E10 fuel and how it will affect you.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/emis ... ffect-you/Finally, GOV.UK following their consultations on these proposals.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultat ... tions-1999I have been advised that when or if this goes through it will most likely affect flexible fuel lines which may deteriorate. It may mean that the flexible pipes in an older car may need renewal or at least watching. Fuel filters, fuel pressure regulators and any non metal parts in contact with the fuel could be affected too. It is also said to " loosen deposits and "clean" the fuel system so this may well stir up deposits in older cars so fuel filers may need changing more regularly.
Millers Oils are now producing a fuel additive that is 'said' to reduce some of the problems that will be encountered with E10 fuels. This is called Millers EPS £7.00 for a 250 ml bottle which treats 50 litres, just under 11 gallons of fuel. More details of this can be found at:
https://www.millersoils.co.uk/products/eps/Currently both BP Ultimate Unleaded and BP Regular Unleaded contain only 5% Ethanol so are still fine to use
Esso Super Unleaded (Synergy Supreme + Unleaded 97) is still 5% Ethanol (except in Devon, Cornwall, the Teesside area and Scotland). Esso would therefore advise anyone who has concerns about the presence of Ethanol in petrol to use Synergy Supreme + providing they do not fill up in Devon or Cornwall, the Teesside area or Scotland.
This is a matter is one that will certainly not go away and dependent upon what vehicles members own I would suggest that a watching brief is kept on these proposals as I'm sure more research will be carried out on the implications of E10 and its affects in older vehicles.
Barry Jayes.